There is a lot to get egg-cited about this month when the focus of the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project’s Get Local initiative turns to farm-fresh eggs. That’s because area farmers and eateries have got you covered, whether you like yours scrambled, poached, boiled or fried, or from a chicken or a duck. Mike Brown of […]
Want to show off for your dinner-party guests? Ask them, “For what farm product is Western North Carolina one of the top six producers in the United States?” It’s likely they’ll respond “apples.” Let out an exasperated sigh when you shake your head no. “It’s trout,” you’ll say, adding that North Carolina is the second […]
For lovers of local food, the new year is off to a sweet start — sorghum and honey are the first featured local items on Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project’s Get Local calendar. For the area beekeepers behind the sugary stuff, 2011’s snowy, how-low-can-it-go start isn’t exactly ideal. “There is a little finger crossing involved,” admits […]
I admit it. I love wine. Not that I needed proof, but Facebook confirmed this for me after I submitted to one of those end-of-the-year applications whereby a list of your most frequently posted words is generated. My top two for 2010 were “wine” and “love.” Granted, it's a pretty common topic of discussion for […]
As residents and visitors can attest, life is sweet in Western North Carolina. It’s largely thanks to the people, the vibrant arts scene and the fabulous landscape. More literally, it’s thanks to our area’s important role in the production of the natural sweeteners honey and sorghum — both of which get the spotlight in Appalachian […]
It’s official: the trees are completely bare. And that’s just the way our shiitake mushroom farmers like it. “Shiitake logs must be harvested when the leaves are off and the tree is dormant,” says Paul Littman, who owns and operates Ivy Creek Family Farm in Barnardsville. Littman says that most of the work in growing […]
You could call Southern Appalachia meat-lover’s mecca. That’s because area farmers raise almost everything, from beef to rabbit to turkey, year-round. It’s also because area chefs are buying local and including innovative meat dishes on their menus. While many of us may prefer to stay in the “safety net” of turkey, chicken or beef, our […]
Ask Walter Harrill about his farm, Imladris, and there are two things he’ll want you to know right off the bat: No. 1, it’s a family farm (his son, Andy, is the seventh generation on the property). No. 2, it’s a sustainable farm. Both have everything in the world to do with each other. “When […]
Winter squash is a staple of most Thanksgiving meals — whether in a soup, casserole or pie. Luckily, all manner of locally grown winter squash is available at area farmers tailgate markets, farm stands and groceries, as well as on the menus of area restaurants this month. One such eatery is the West End Bakery […]
Kevin Toomey and Christina Carter of Ten Mile Farm are somewhat unlikely farmers. “I definitely didn’t grow up farming by any means. Quite the opposite,” says Toomey. In fact, he lived in a sports-only world while in school, and ate a diet far from farm-fresh — mostly sugar and processed foods. Studying agricultural societies in […]
I’m sure you’re thinking that all of the ads with an Appalachian Grown logo made sense in the summer, when an abundance of local produce is available and featured on the menus of area restaurants. But with fall settling in and winter approaching, what’s the use? The local food movement quiets down, and restaurants can’t […]
‘Round these parts, people have a serious need for greens. Fortunately, area farmers feed that need by growing almost every variety under the sun. Hal Oliver of Oliver Organics in Hendersonville grows at least 15 different types of greens. While he grows many you’re likely familiar with, including collards, kale and green cabbage, he doesn’t […]
Winter: the big shivering elephant in the room. Sure, it’s difficult to imagine the weeks without our many bustling tailgate markets now, but the time is approaching. Don’t panic just yet, though. Thanks to the folks at Blue Ridge Food Ventures, you can enjoy a perfect summer sun-ripened tomato come February. How? Sign up for […]
Hopefully you’ve managed to go pickin’ this apple season. If not, now's the time — or at least time to find baskets of juicy, crisp local apples at your farmers market. What can you do with the abundance of fruit? Local chefs and bakers suggest pies, cobblers, crisps, tarts, jams, chips, cider and applesauce for […]
To some, summer is all about swimming and sunlight. To others, it’s about local tomatoes. Period. “Texturally, there is nothing like a good vine-ripened local tomato,” says Chris Aquilino, personal chef, caterer and owner of Picasso’s Plate Cuisine. “They’re soft and supple.” The taste? It doesn't even compare it to that of a trucked-in tomato, […]
With the exception of one winter spent working for Sears just after high school graduation, Ray Chambers has been farming his entire life. Family Farmin’: Ray Chambers farms approximately 40 acres, many of which were farmed by his father and grandfather. Photos courtesy of ASAP “As soon as it got to be warmer weather, I […]
Forget the expression, “doesn’t amount to a hill of beans.” In the Southern Appalachians, beans amount to plenty. They’ve been an area mainstay since the first settlers arrived in the region, and there are dozens of varieties of the crop grown here. In fact, it’s even been asserted that more heirloom beans, or traditional cultivars, […]
Swannanoa’s Seasonal School of Culinary Arts is in full swing: The second session, “Cooking for Vibrant Health,” is just around the corner, beginning this weekend on Sunday, July 18.
Summer is officially here, and so is local summer squash. The blossoms and bold hues of the many available varieties of squash began brightening up area farmers markets in June, and remain a market staple through September. Squash Casserole from Early Girl Eatery Ka-bloom! Squash blossoms aren’t just for show. They’re yummy lightly sautéed of […]
A herd of Black Angus cattle grazes around a classic white farm house. In the heat of the afternoon sun, they come in from the the 100 hilly acres of pasture where they range, to take advantage of the shade under enormous old trees. This Madison County farm is where Carolyn Bradley grew up and […]
Living in Asheville has its perks. For instance, there's a wide array of farmers markets throughout the week in different locations around town — it's an eater's paradise! I have become so spoiled by some items available only at the market that I tend to get a little unsettled when I run out. A taste […]
